quote:There are tons of stories about Dick Trickle from the short track days. He once told a Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reporter about the time when he blew a water pump in a race, got on the P.A. and asked if anyone in the crowd had a Ford. A guy drove his car down to the pits. Trickle pulled the water pump off, put it on his car, won the race, and gave it back. Another time he blew an engine, pulled one out of a tow truck, dropped it in his car, and won that race also.

Reading this made me think about one of my dads friends that recently shot himself. He had back pain and the doctor said there was nothing they could do. His pain meds had a side effect of depresion from what I heard.

I've had back pain since 2007 and just had surgery a month ago. I am only 45 but was a Marine infantryman and have worn a gun belt ever since putting my body through hell (car crashes, fighting, falling off roofs etc..). I can tell you that chronic pain (I mean 24 hour pain) is debilitating, it affects every aspect of your life and changes your personality. I'm not saying that suicide is the answer but I can see how it comes into play regarding this story.